New York Mets defeat Tampa Bay Rays, 5-3

Jerry Manuel called what the Mets were cooking up Friday "a juggling act," and if that didn't explain it, a visual aid was provided.

Around 4:30 p.m., Fernando Martinez was sitting at his locker at Citi Field, a packed duffel bag at his feet. Around an hour later, the nameplate above that locker read "EVANS 6," and Nick Evans stood before it talking about how his season has turned around.

The Mets sent Martinez, their prized 20-year-old prospect, down to Triple-A Buffal...

Nieve was inserted into the Mets' ailing rotation a week ago and is pitching like he belongs there. For the second time in seven days, the Houston Astros castoff shut down one of the AL's top lineups to help the Mets rebound from a heartbreaking loss.

Friday night, the righthander allowed one run on three hits over six innings, ushering the Mets to a 5-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays at Citi Field just one ni...